First agency set to use new DHS cybersecurity program

Jul. 24, 2013 - 06:00AM
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Einstein 3, the latest version of a Department of Homeland Security program designed to protect agency computer systems from cyberattacks, is going live Wednesday evening.

Roberta Stempfley, acting assistant secretary of the DHS Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, said the first agency — which she would not identify at the agency’s request — is moving to the Einstein 3 program at 7 p.m.

“We are really thrilled about that,” she said Wednesday at the Cyber Security Brainstorm in Washington hosted by public-private partnership Meritalk.

The first version of Einstein, released in 2004, was an intrusion detection system that allowed agencies to monitor their networks for unauthorized traffic. Subsequent versions have included greater intrusion prevention and system security measures.

Einstein 3 contains enhanced security features. Stempfley said, such as being able to detect malicious traffic and proactively stopping such attacks before they can affect vital systems.

Next to move to Einstein 3 will be the Veterans Affairs Department, Stempfley said.

DHS is currently working on installing Einstein 3 on its own systems but first must negotiate with its Internet service provider, Stempfley said.